Meet the ‘Horse Barber’ creating spectacular equine designs

Melody Hames, also known as the Horse Barber, is no ordinary artist. She creates beautiful masterpieces by clipping incredible designs into the hair of her horse Romeo.

“They’ve all got a unique meaning,” Hames told. “I’ve always been into art and design anyway so I love to do it.”

Hames began clipping on her pony when she was only nine years old. Her Connemara pony had Cushing’s disease, and in order to keep him comfortable she taught herself how to clip. Friends would then ask her to clip their horses and demand spread through word of mouth.

“I had never done it before but I’ve got the attitude of just saying yes and worrying later. So we did it and she put it online,” Hames said, in a phone interview from her home in Greater Manchester, England.

“All of a sudden more and more people started asking so that’s how it started.”

Amazing Horse Clipping Art

The Horse Barber offers a variety of different services including traditional clipping, creative clipping, trimming & show preparation, remedial Cushing’s & sweet itch clipping and mountain & moorland show blending.

Hames’ unique approach to clipping is due to her love for art and design, horsemanship skills and her knowledge of different horse coat types.

Her goal is to create a safer and happier environment for both horses and people throughout the clipping process.

The attention to detail in her work is truly incredible! Her passion for horses and her talent in clipping shines through in every design.

Fast forward 20 years, Hames became the first clipper in the UK to offer traditional and creative clipping skills as an equine educator, in the form of education and training.

Her skills have been showcased nationally and internationally. She has even paired up with Andis, an American clipper company, to provide clipping demonstrations to other equestrians.